Why Are Teens So Stressed, & How Can Parents Help

Teens, Stress & Parent Management

Stress or anxiety is a natural human response. If it occurs normally and does not last longer then there is nothing to get overwhelmed with. However, if it persists and interferes with normal life functioning, it should be immediately treated. Teens can not completely handle their stress until they get help from their parents, who are the first ones who notice the unusual changes in their behavior and are their best companions. Anxiety is one of the common mental health issues of teenagers throughout the world.  

Various recent studies have also reported that approximately 40% of US teens are suffering from stress and anxiety due to several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. 

Every individual thinks that stress is always bad. However, in reality, not every stress is bad, and there are two main types of stress, which include:

Good Stress 

The stress that acts as a force of motivation and develops the mindset of children to work hard is good stress. Moreover, good stress also helps in developing effective coping or stress management techniques that help individuals, especially children, to navigate all life challenges with courage and confidence. 

Bad Stress

Stress that restricts the children from doing anything is considered stress. If the child or adolescent feels stressed, then they think that they can not do anything in their life and can not achieve their goals. Moreover, they also consider themselves less capable of navigating life challenges due to ongoing distressing situations. 

Each teen responds differently to each mental illness. Although the symptoms of stress and anxiety are the same, they manifest differently in each teenager. 

Most common symptoms of stress in teens include:

• Excessive worries
• Sense of fatigue or tiredness
• Intrusive thoughts 
• Mood swings 
• Irritable behavior
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Trouble with focus or attention
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Issues in sleep 
• Complaining too much 
• Excessive crying without any apparent reason
• Muscle stiffness
• Social withdrawal
• Eating abnormalities 

What Are The Main Causes of Stress in Teenagers?

Teenagers are more prone to the changes happening around them, and they are affected more than adults. The following are the common factors that act as triggers of stress in teenagers:

• The death of any loved one
• Sexual abuse 
• Domestic abuse or violence 
• Academic demands 
• Financial loss
• Issues in social or romantic relationships
• Societal pressure
• Sudden transitions in life 
• Divorce or separation of parents
  
• Excessive use of the screen 
• Lack of support from family or friends 
• Shortage of time to perform vital tasks
• Any serious medical issue

How Does Excessive Stress Affect Teens?

If your teen is taking excessive stress, then it can negatively affect their both physical and mental health.

Lack of Concentration

Teens dealing with stress can not easily pay attention to the most important things and therefore fail to excel in different areas of life. 

Emotional Instability 

Due to stress, they can not easily manage the intensity of their emotions and are more prone to suffer from anxiety, depression. 

Preference For Isolation

Anxiety is one of the major factors that makes individuals isolated from others. Due to their fear of judgement, they prefer to stay alone and avoid social engagement. 

Sleep Issues

Excessive stress also interferes with the normal sleep patterns of individuals. Anxious teens are more prone to suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues. 

Physical Issues 

Stress not only affects mental health but also physical health. Teenagers with stress also experience the common physical issues, which include headache, stomachache, cardiac and gastric issues. 

How Can Parents Help their Children Get Out of Their Stress?

Every parent is concerned with the mental wellness of their children. They can help their child in different ways, such as:

Listen to Them 

As a parent, you should first listen to your child. Ask them what they are feeling and what kind of issues they are dealing with. Make sure that they are listened to or heard, and you are here for them to help in dealing with their mental issues. 

Build Trust With Your Child

Tell your child that you trust them and their capabilities. They do not need to stress over anything, and they should take part in different activities to find out their inner potential.

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Whenever you feel that they are battling with stress or they say something to you, then acknowledge their fear, thoughts, or emotions. Don’t say to them why you are feeling sad or why you are behaving like this. Instead of this, say to them that I can understand what you are going through and I’m here to help. 

Challenging The Thoughts

Teach your children that there is no need to get scared of their difficulties. Instead of running away from them, challenge your thoughts and emotions and think of the best ways to deal with them. 

Avoid Negative Labels 

Most of the parents start using negative words for children or give them negative labels when they show their anger or mood swings. Avoid doing this as it can also raise the stress of your child. 

Show Your Love & Care

Do not ever yell at your child; it can demotivate your child. Always show your love and care to your children so they feel more motivated and hopeful to move ahead in life. 

Keeping Things In a Proper Perspective

You should also teach your children to always keep their challenging situations in proper perspective to find out how they cope or overcome them, and also the associated anxiety. 

Teach Them Coping Skills

 If the children and teens are aware of all coping strategies, then they can better deal with their stress and anxiety. Teach them to adopt different stress management techniques when they feel stressed or anxious so they can relax their mind. 

Encourage A Positive Lifestyle

Educate and train your child to adopt a positive and healthy lifestyle. Develop a specific and structured routine of their daily life and also make a schedule of their diet, sleep, and physical activity.

Set Limits For Social Media Use

The more time teens spend in front of the screen, the more they indulge in the cycle of stress or worries. Therefore, parents should limit their screen time to prevent the occurrence of stress in children and adolescents.

Be A Role Model For Your Teen

Always remember that whatever you do, your teen will always follow you. If you teach them coping strategies that you are adopting during your stress, then they will learn more and faster. Therefore, always adopt positive strategies so your child can learn the best. 

Be An Advocate For Them

If your teen is not at ease in fighting with external stressors, then become an advocate for them. Directly engage yourself with the stressors and help them get rid of it by learning from your strategies.

Seek Professional Help If Required 

If you can not easily handle your child’s negative behaviour, then seek professional help from experts. Find the best mental health expert for your child and treat their common mental health issues. 

When To Get Professional Help For Stress

If your teen is getting overwhelmed with stress, considering themselves less capable of achieving things in life, or stuck in the cycle of suicidal thoughts, then these are the best indicators that your teen needs professional help. 

Find Professional Help For Your Child At Children’s Psych

Children Psych is a leading platform where you can find the best psychiatric solutions for your child and adolescents. If you are concerned with your child’s mental health, then Children’s Psych should be your ideal choice. Here, you can find the best skilled team of child psychiatric nurse practitioners who develop personalized treatment strategies that suit the individual requirements of each child or adolescent. Other than mental health treatment, they provide mental health support and guidance to parents and children.